The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 11, 2017
Filed:
Aug. 21, 2009
Todd R. Newman, Traverse City, MI (US);
John M. Washeleski, Cadillac, MI (US);
Todd R. Newman, Traverse City, MI (US);
John M. Washeleski, Cadillac, MI (US);
UUSI, LLC, Reed City, MI (US);
Abstract
A vehicle assembly includes an electrically non-conductive fascia panel and an electrical conductor mounted to the fascia panel. The conductor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the fascia panel while the conductor is driven with an electrical charge such that capacitance of the conductor changes due to the conductor capacitively coupling with the object. The assembly may further include a controller operable for driving the conductor with the electrical charge and for measuring the capacitance of the conductor to determine whether an electrically conductive object is proximal to the fascia panel. The controller controls a vehicle function such as movement of a movable panel like a lift gate associated with the fascia panel depending on whether an electrically conductive object is proximal to the fascia panel.